The 'stuff' of Groundhog Day in Polk Township

Friday

Feb 1, 2013 at 12:01 AM

For the third year in a row, they're going with a stuffed groundhog. Members of a local group that holds a Groundhog Day ceremony each February in the West End will again use a taxidermied groundhog to prognosticate whether winter is on its way out.

For the third year in a row, they're going with a stuffed groundhog.

Members of a local group that holds a Groundhog Day ceremony each February in the West End will again use a taxidermied groundhog to prognosticate whether winter is on its way out.

Members of the Groundhog Lodge No. 6, in Kresgeville, haven't procured a new groundhog since Sammi III, the group's last living groundhog, died.

"Oh yeah, we still haven't been able to get our hands on a live groundhog. But we're going to be going on with the ceremony," said Robert Andrews, a member of Groundhog Lodge No. 6.

In 2011, members of the lodge used a stuffed relative of Sammi III's, Sammi I, aka "Pudgie," to make the prediction on the big day. Lodge members actually just read their own seasonal prediction at the ceremony.

Members of the lodge, which has been organizing local Groundhog Day ceremonies for the last 60-plus years, say they haven't purchased a new groundhog because so much work goes into raising the critter.

Sammi I joins other groundhogs around the state, such as Poor Richard in York County and, of course, Punxsutawney Phil.

The ceremony on Saturday will be held between 6:30 and 7 a.m. just behind Cherry's Sunset Family Diner, which is off Route 209 in Polk Township.